Wisdom Tooth Surgery: Here’s How to Recover Faster

Wisdom teeth extraction is one of the most common dental procedure done and it can take up to two weeks to fully recover from the post-surgery symptoms. Most people go through swelling, extreme pain and mild discomfort after surgery. The level of discomfort post wisdom tooth extraction depends on person to person. Thanks to sedation, the surgical procedure itself doesn’t hurt, but you can use the tips below to make wisdom tooth removal recovery swift and smooth.

Icing – Apply ice to the area of the cheek close to the extraction site since cold can help reduce inflammation. You need to ice the area as much as you can for the first 36 hours and ensure that:

The area near the extraction site isn’t iced for more than 20 minutes at a time.

The area isn’t exposed to heat since heat increases the blood flow resulting in pain and swelling.

Keep the Surgical Area Clean and Protected – For a month or two after the wisdom teeth surgery, you’re likely to contract infections because of bacteria near the surgical wound. So, here’s what you need to follow:

Rinse mouth with lukewarm water to keep the area clean.

Avoid touching the wounded area.

Stay vigilant and prevent food debris in the mouth.

Keep Your Head Elevated – The blood vessel tone and blood volume near the wound increase on lying flat resulting in extreme pain. Hence, for the first three days, keep your head elevated in a way that your body is at a 45-degree angle.

Keeping your head elevated can also help you avoid swelling and sleep comfortably.

Massage Your Masseter Muscle Gently – Getting wisdom teeth removed requires you to keep your mouth open for an extended period of time. This can result in soreness in the masseter, the muscle in your jaw that helps you chew. To release tension from your jaw, massage the masseter gently for a few minutes by placing fingers just before the opening of both the ears.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco – Consuming tobacco post teeth removal surgery can not only result in discomfort but can also lead to infections. So, avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.

Prevent Dry Socket – Dry socket is the most common risk after tooth removal. To protect the hole in the gums after the tooth removal surgery, a blood clot is supposed to form. However, if the blood clot doesn’t form or becomes dislodged, it can result in a dry socket. Follow these tips to avoid this situation:

Drink plenty of fluids.

Be gentle while brushing your teeth.

Take proper rest.

Rinse mouth with warm salt water.

Take Medication When Necessary – If the pain gets unbearable, consult your doctor and take medications as suggested. Weeks and months of discomfort can drain out all your energy.

While undergoing recovery, you need to also ensure that you are on a soft or liquid food diet. If the pain persists, seek your doctor’s or surgeon’s advice. Also, drink plenty of cold coconut water; you will be good in no time.

Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health, recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.

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